Plan Bleu has published the technical report of the first workshop of the Adapt-Pelagos project, funded by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and ADEME.
The workshop, held last September 16, brought together nearly 30 participants from the public, private, non-profit, and scientific sectors to exchange ideas and define a sustainability roadmap for the cruise and recreational boating sectors within the Pelagos Sanctuary, the marine protected area of international importance dedicated to the protection of marine mammals in the Mediterranean.
This area is subject to multiple pressures, such as recreational boating, cruises, acoustic and chemical pollution, and increasing climate change, which heighten the vulnerability of marine ecosystems and threaten the ecological balance of the sanctuary.
Through a participatory method, the workshop made it possible to bring out concrete proposals, share local expertise, and lay the foundations for a series of sustainability indicators for the adaptation of the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Among the key points:
🔹 The protection of biodiversity and ecosystems constitutes an absolute priority to reduce the impacts of navigation on marine mammals and fragile habitats.
🔹 Concrete actions were presented: electrification of docks, non-anchoring zones, speed limitation, elimination of plastic on board, creation of green funds to finance conservation.
🔹 Sustainability indicators have been identified in order to serve as measurement tools to monitor progress on climate, biodiversity, circular economy, socio-economic aspects, and governance.
🔹 In terms of governance and collaboration, strengthening cross-border cooperation between states, ports, operators, and local authorities is necessary.
🔹 Innovative tools were presented: SEA Index, NETCCOBAMS/VisiZone, and the “High Quality Whale Watching” label to promote and support sustainable practices.
This first workshop laid the foundations for a collective approach aimed at strengthening the sustainability of the cruise and recreational boating sector in the Pelagos Sanctuary.
The next stages of the Adapt-Pelagos project will soon follow with three new workshops. In February/March 2026 there will be the second workshop, which will focus on sustainable tourism, adaptation to climate change, and integrated coastal zone management. Then the third, scheduled for September 2027, will instead focus on carrying capacity and the role of marine protected areas. Finally, a final workshop in February 2027 will be dedicated to the restitution of the work and the harmonization of the sustainability indicators of the blue economy that emerged from the 3 thematic workshops.
Led by a partnership between the three signatory countries of the Pelagos Agreement (France, Italy, Monaco), the Adapt-Pelagos project aims to promote the adoption of best practices and the acquisition of knowledge to strengthen the capacity for action and to foster the emergence of concrete solutions for a more sustainable blue economy within the Pelagos Sanctuary.